ZCZC
BSS-12
ROHINGYA-SHAHRIAR
Dhaka seeks more global pressure for Rohingya’s return
DHAKA, July 15, 2018 (BSS)-Dhaka sought more pressure from the
international community to ensure safe return of Rohingyas who took shelter
in Bangladesh after fleeing persecution in their homeland Myanmar.
“We urge the international community to continue to step up pressure on
Myanmar authorities so that the Rohingyas can return to their ancestral homes
in Myanmar in safety, dignity and sustainable livelihood,” State Minister for
Foreign Md. Shahriar Alam told a programme last night.
Shahriar was addressing as the chief guest a reception, marking the
National Day of the Republic of France, held at the Franco-German Joint
Embassy in the capital city.
Referring to the existing Rohingya crisis, he said Bangladesh as a
responsive and responsible state and under the dynamic leadership of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina gave shelter to more than one million Rohingya
population who fled violence and atrocities in the Northern Rakhine State of
Myanmar.
“We appreciate the strong support, both humanitarian and political,
extended by the French Government in response to the Rohingya crisis. We also
appreciate the role played by French President Emmanuel Macron, personally
and his government collectively through the European Union and the United
Nations Security Council to find a sustainable solution to the Rohingya
crisis in Myanmar,” the state minister said.
About the upcoming general election, Shahriar said the Bangladesh
government is confident that the Election Commission, with the support of all
the political parties, administration and other stakeholders, will be able to
hold inclusive, fair and neutral general elections by the end of 2018.
The state minister expressed his happiness that many French multinational-
companies are engaged in Bangladesh. French Company “Lafarge-Surma” is having
one of the largest FDI in Bangladesh while Thales Alenia Space has built the
Bangladesh’s first satellite, “Bangabandhu Satellite-1”, he added.
He also noted bilateral trade between the two countries experienced a
steady growth in the last decade and crossed two billion dollar mark last
year.
Shahriar mentioned that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is now marching towards the materialisation of
Vision 2021, a roadmap to convert it in to a middle income country by 2021
and Vision 2041, a road map to turn Bangladesh into a developed country by
2041.
In this endeavour, he said, the support from the international community,
particularly from France, as an old and time tested friend, has always been a
major strength for Bangladesh and her people.
French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie-Annick Bourdin also spoke on the
occasion.
BSS/TA/ANC/AKM 1405hrs